Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
RECREATION REGISTRATION FEES
http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
House Bill 6230 as introduced Analysis available at
Sponsor: Rep. Laurie Pohutsky http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Committee: Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism
and Outdoor Recreation
Complete to 12-12-24
SUMMARY:
House Bill 6230 would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act
(NREPA) to increase application fees for watercraft that are required to be registered to be
operated on the waters of the state. The application fees would increase at three-year intervals,
as shown in the table below.
Currently, pontoon vessels are charged the same fee ($23) regardless of their length. Beginning
January 1, 2025, the fee for pontoon vessels under the bill would be based on length (and the
same as the fee charged motorboats of the same length).
Vessel type Current HB 6230 HB 6230 HB 6230 HB 6230
fee fee fee fee fee
2025-27 2028-30 2031-33 beginning
2034
Nonpowered vessel, except $9 $11.70 $13.46 $14.80 $15.54
canoes or kayaks
Nonmotorized canoe or kayak $5 $6.50 $7.48 $8.22 $8.63
Motorboats less than 12 feet $14 $18.20 $20.93 $23.02 $24.17
in length
Motorboats 12 feet or over $17 $22.10 $25.42 $27.96 $29.35
but less than 16 feet in length
Motorboats 16 feet or over $42 $54.60 $62.79 $69.07 $72.52
but less than 21 feet in length
Motorboats 21 feet or over $115 $149.50 $171.93 $189.12 $198.57
but less than 28 feet in length
Motorboats 28 feet or over $168 $218.40 $251.16 $276.28 $290.09
but less than 35 feet in length
Motorboats 35 feet or over $244 $317.20 $364.78 $401.26 $421.32
but less than 42 feet in length
Motorboats 42 feet or over $280 $364 $418.60 $460.46 $483.48
but less than 50 feet in length
Motorboats 50 feet in length $448 $582.40 $669.76 $736.74 $773.57
or over
House Fiscal Agency Page 1 of 3
 Pontoon vessels of any length $23 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Pontoon vessels 12 feet or $17 $22.10 $25.42 $27.96 $29.35
over but less than 16 feet in
length
Pontoon vessels 16 feet or $42 $54.60 $62.79 $69.07 $72.52
over but less than 21 feet in
length
Pontoon vessels 21 feet or $115 $149.50 $171.93 $189.12 $198.57
over but less than 28 feet in
length
Pontoon vessels 28 feet or $168 $218.40 $251.16 $276.28 $290.09
over but less than 35 feet in
length
Pontoon vessels 35 feet or $244 $317.20 $364.78 $401.26 $421.32
over but less than 42 feet in
length
Pontoon vessels 42 feet or $280 $364 $418.60 $460.46 $483.48
over but less than 50 feet in
length
Pontoon vessels 50 feet in $448 $582.40 $669.76 $736.74 $773.57
length or over
Motorized canoes of any $14 $18.20 $20.93 $23.02 $24.17
length
Vessels licensed under part $15 $19.50 $22.43 $24.67 $25.90
473
Vessels carrying passengers $45 $58.50 $67.28 $74 $77.70
for hire that are in compliance
with part 445, or under
federal law; and vessels
carrying passengers and
freight or freight only and
owned within this state or
hailing from a port within this
state
The act allows a 15-day permit to be issued by a dealer before the vessel is registered. The fee
for the permit is currently $10. The bill would increase it to $13 for 2025 through 2027, $14.95
for 2028 through 2030, $16.45 for 2031 through 2033, and $17.27 beginning in 2034.
In addition, a vessel owned by a state agency, a political subdivision (a county, metropolitan
authority, municipality, or combination of those), or a state-supported college or university can
be registered for a $3 fee. The bill would increase this to $5.
House Fiscal Agency HB 6230 as introduced Page 2 of 3
 Finally, the bill would require all of the fees described above to be adjusted for inflation and
rounded to the nearest dollar beginning January 1, 2037, and every three years thereafter.
Beginning in 2037, and then every three years, the fees listed above that are effective in 2034
would have to be increased by the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index from 2025
to the current year.
MCL 324.80124
FISCAL IMPACT:
House Bill 6230 is likely to increase revenue for DNR by increasing the price of certain
watercraft registration fees. Current fee rates were set in 1995 PA 58. The precise extent of this
revenue increase is unclear at present as current purchase rates and proposed percentage price
increases vary by vessel type; the department estimates an annual revenue increase of $6.9
million in the initial fee period. Revenue from watercraft registrations is credited to the
Waterways Account, which primarily supports appropriations in the department’s Parks and
Recreation Division for recreational boating, boating infrastructure maintenance and capital
improvements. A total of $33.8 million from this account is appropriated in the department’s
FY 2024-25 budget. Watercraft registration revenue is also credited to the Marine Safety Fund,
which primarily supports appropriations in the department’s Law Enforcement Division and
grants to counties for watercraft safety and education programs. A total of $3.9 million from
this fund is appropriated in the department’s FY 2024-25 budget. The bill is unlikely to affect
departmental costs as DNR is already engaged in the collection of these registration fees. The
bill is also unlikely to affect local government costs or revenues. The department’s FY 2024-
25 budget totals $534.6 million Gross ($76.8 million GF/GP) and 2,545.3 FTE positions.
Legislative Analyst: Rick Yuille
Fiscal Analyst: Austin Scott
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
House Fiscal Agency HB 6230 as introduced Page 3 of 3


Statutes affected:
Substitute (H-1): 324.80124
House Introduced Bill: 324.80124